The magic of tidying

For anyone subscribing: I tried to alert the tech people to the thread problem but haven't heard back yet.

I need to tidy. A visitor is coming tomorrow.

Hello @Chantarelle @Oaktree @TAB @Shaz51 @NatureLover and other tidiers. I hope your efforts are rewarding.

I'm still working through my stash of boxes. I'm over halfway, but I repacked a lot so it will take more than one go.

It would be good to rediscover tabletops and other horizontal surfaces. They're clutter magnets.

Boxes and files of old paperwork are hard to face, bringing back bad memories. Does anyone have any tips?

Well done @Dimity on being more than half way through your boxes!

Tips for dealing with paperwork...create a reward for yourself. Also, any paperwork you need to keep, you could take a photo of it on your phone then upload it to your computer, and throw away the piece of paper. There's also an app called CamScanner which can scan documents on your phone and send them to your computer. There's a free version and a paid version.

I think an advantage of uploading documents to your computer is that you don't have to process every emotional or financial implication / history of that piece of paper as you're sorting through them and deciding what to keep. Makes it faster to sort through them.

Thanks @NatureLover some good ideas there. Unfortunately I've been avoiding my laptop and most of my tech stuff, which now seem to be part of my clutter. It's scary.

You're right about reading and processing things taking the time. Beyond that the decisions mostly aren't hard - keep/shred/recycle.

I wish I could reread your post while writing. I might have to start pasting into my reply. The older and newer threads are behaving differently.

Yes, I wish it was possible to see the post you're in the middle of replying to, too. How did the person designing this think it was somehow better?! @Dimity 

Glad the date ordering and the reply box problems seem fixed on this thread

@NatureLover instead of clicking the reply button scroll down to Reply to thread... Add your reply. Then the reply doesn't hide the thread.

I'm plodding on with tidying. I find I have 2 alarm clocks with broken alarms. And a box of old diaries (rather confronting). And a box of recipe clippings from old newspapers.

Old craft projects are a worry. But I've finished a couple this year.

Lots of files, papers, books.

Thanks for the tip, @Dimity ! That's so much better!

What did you decide to do with the alarm clocks?

Old diaries and journals are indeed confronting. What will you do with them?

@NatureLover I'm reflecting on the diaries and slowly culling some. I don't know atm what to do with stuff.

I only met my daily housework & decluttering goal 35% of the time in July so it's no wonder I'm not seeing progress.

Back to square one. But rediscovering books and craft has been good and might help me break the depression loop. @NatureLover